Wikipedia

Climate of New Zealand

The climate of New Zealand is varied due to the country's diverse landscape. Most regions of New Zealand belong to the temperate zone with a maritime climate (Köppen climate classification: Cfb) characterised by four distinct seasons. Winters are relatively mild and summers comparatively cool. The main contributing factors are the Pacific Ocean and latitude, although the mountain ranges can cause significant climate variations in locations barely tens of kilometres from each other. Conditions vary from extremely wet on the West Coast of the South Island to almost semi-arid in Central Otago and subtropical in Northland.[1]

Köppen climate types of New Zealand

Weather

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The Meteorological Service of New Zealand Limited (MetService), established as a state-owned enterprise in 1992, issues weather forecasts and official weather warnings.

Rainfall

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Most cities receive between 618 mm or 24.3 in (as in Christchurch) and 1,317 mm or 51.9 in (Whangārei) of precipitation annually.[2] Rainfall is distributed uniformly throughout the year in most parts of the country, especially in the South Island. Northern and eastern parts of the country, including Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington see a slight winter maximum consistent with a Mediterranean climate. Summer and autumn maxima can be found in places closer to the southwest, such as Invercargill and Milford Sound.

How much rain a place receives is highly dependent on topography. The Southern Alps, the North Island Volcanic Plateau and surrounding ranges can produce large variation in rainfalls in places barely tens of kilometres apart. Milford Sound receives over 6,700 mm (264 Inches) of the rainfall a year on average while barely 100 km (62 Miles) away Alexandra in Central Otago receives only slightly greater than 300 mm annually, giving it a borderline oceanic/semi-arid climate.[3] Air laden with water vapour from the ocean is pushed from the west in response to Earth’s rotation. This weather circulates the southern seas largely unimpeded by land until it reaches the Southern Alps. The humid westerly wind is forced up over the mountains, at cooler elevation water condenses and falls as snow or rain. This orographic rain explains the huge difference in conditions between the wet west and dry east of the South Island.[4] The drier föhn wind descending the eastern slopes of the Southern Alps gives rise to a distinctive local weather phenomenon, the Nor'west arch, visible in much of Canterbury and parts of Otago.

Tornadoes

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Main article: List of New Zealand tornadoes

Each year, there are 7–10 damaging tornadoes that touch down in New Zealand, occurring mostly along the west coast of both islands. Tornadoes in New Zealand most often form from squall lines ahead of cold fronts, which have the potential to spawn mesocyclones capable of tornadogenesis. Tornadoes in the country are usually short-lived, narrow, and weak. However, the country's National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) assessed the 1948 Frankton tornado as an EF3 on the Enhanced Fujita scale, making it New Zealand's strongest known tornado. The 1948 tornado was also its most impactful, with 200 buildings damaged, as well as a rare deadly tornado in the country, with three deaths.[5]

Snowfall

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Midland Line blanketed in heavy snow

Snow falls in New Zealand's South Island and at higher altitudes in the North Island. It is extremely rare at sea level in the North Island. Snow is more common inland in both main islands, though snow to sea level does occur on average once or twice per year in the central and southern South Island.

Temperature

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As with many islands in the world, the influence of the ocean curtails any extremes in coastal temperature. The greater temperature ranges are found in the interior of the Canterbury and Otago regions, and especially Central Otago. Central Otago and inland Canterbury's Mackenzie Basin have the closest New Zealand has to continental climates, being generally drier (due in part to föhn winds) and less directly modified by the ocean. These areas can experience summer temperatures in the low 30s °C (high 80s/low 90s °F) and snow and severe frosts in winter, the latter exacerbated by hoar frosts in the river valleys and basins.

Annual mean temperature

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Mean annual temperatures range from 10 °C (50 °F) in the south to 16 °C (61 °F) in the north.[6] The coldest month is usually July and the warmest month is usually January or February. Generally there are relatively small variations between summer and winter temperatures. An example of this is Auckland which has a variation of just 9 °C or 16 °F between the average mid-winter high temperature (14.7 °C or 58.5 °F) and average mid-summer high temperature (23.7 °C or 74.7 °F). Temperature variation throughout the day is also relatively small. The exception to this is inland areas and to the east of the ranges with daily variations that can be over 25 °C and differences of up to 14 °C between the average summer and winter high temperatures. Temperatures also drop about 0.7 °C or 1.3 °F for every 100 m (300ft) of altitude.

Northern cities such as Auckland, Whangārei, and Tauranga experience mean yearly maxima of between 19–20 °C (66–68 °F) and mean yearly minima of around 11–12 °C (52–54 °F). Eastern cities on the North Island such as Gisborne, Napier, and Hastings also have mean yearly maxima of between 19–20 °C (66–68 °F) but have slightly lower yearly mean minima of around 9–10 °C (48–50 °F). The two largest cities on the South Island, Christchurch and Dunedin, have mean yearly maxima of 17.3 °C (63.1 °F) and 14.6 °C (58.3 °F) and yearly mean minima of 7.3 °C (45.1 °F) and 7.6 °C (45.7 °F) respectively.

Summer

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Daily maximum temperatures are normally in the mid to low 20s (°C) over most of the country. They are higher in northern, eastern and interior part of the country; Hastings is the warmest city on average with 25.5 °C followed by Gisborne with 24.9 °C and Napier with 24.5 °C. Eastern parts of the South Island are highly susceptible to the norwester, a Fohn wind which can result in temperatures going into the high 30s and even the low 40s. Rangiora in Canterbury holds the record maximum of 42.4 °C recorded in 1973, with Christchurch recording 41.6 °C in that same year. More recently, Timaru reached 41.3 °C on Waitangi Day in 2011. Due to these winds, the cooler South Island cities such as Dunedin, Christchurch and Invercargill have higher all-time record temperatures than places further north such as Wellington, Auckland and Whangārei.

Winter

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August 2011 winter's snowfall in Dunedin, Otago

Winter temperatures are considerably milder in New Zealand compared to other areas of similar latitude, with the exception of the Central Otago and Mackenzie Basin regions mentioned above. Maxima are generally 10–15 °C (50–59 °F) in the North Island, decreasing as one goes further south or inland. The South Island is a bit cooler, with maximum temperatures around 7–12 °C (45–54 °F), though sometimes lower. The lowest temperature ever recorded was −25.6 °C (−14.1 °F) at Ranfurly in Otago in 1903, with a more recent temperature of −21.6 °C (−6.9 °F) recorded in 1995 in nearby Ophir.[7]

Severe weather events

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See also: Category:Weather events in New Zealand

July 1863 The blizzard and flood of 1863 was a series of consecutive natural disasters in Central Otago in New Zealand's South Island. From July to August 1863 the Otago gold fields suffered from a combination of floods, snowstorms, and blizzards that caused heavy loss of life among the gold miners. At least 40 died during the July rains and more than 11 in the August snows. Sources using the earliest reports of loss of life tend to greatly overstate the numbers who died.[8]

1–6 February 1868: The Great storm of 1868 was a violent storm that swept across much of New Zealand wrecking 12 ships and causing extensive flooding. About 40 lives were known lost and at the time an estimated £500,000 to £1 million worth of damage was caused. The storm is currently thought to have been an ex-tropical cyclone.

16 April 1897: The storm of 1897 was a severe storm that struck the lower to central North Island of New Zealand on 16 April 1897. It caused the ship Zuleika to run aground near Cape Palliser, with the loss of 12 lives, and severe flooding. At Clive the flooding caused the loss of a further 12 lives and one person was drowned near Kapiti. There were 6 further unconfirmed reports of drowning, bringing the total loss of life directly related to the storm event to between 25 and 31. Based on descriptions of the storm, particularly that of Captain Marten of the Waiapu, it may have been an ex-tropical cyclone.

2 February 1936: The Cyclone of 1936 was the worst storm of the 20th century in New Zealand.[9]

 
Track map of Cyclone Giselle

10 April 1968: Cyclone Giselle caused peak gusts of 145 knots (270 km/h) near Wellington, after colliding with an Antarctic storm moving north. Giselle led to the sinking of the interisland ferry TEV Wahine, and the loss of 53 lives. Total damage caused by the storm was estimated at $14 million.[10]

20 December 1976: Heavy rain caused widespread flooding and landslides in Wellington City and Hutt Valley. Hutt River burst its stopbanks[citation needed][11] and workers in Petone took refuge on factory roofs while rail links between Wellington city and the Hutt were suspended stranding thousands of commuters. Landslides destroyed houses and a boy was killed by a collapsing wall when a slip struck a hall in Crofton Downs. More than 350 mm of rain fell in 24 hours.[10]

6–10 March 1988: New Zealand is hit by a tropical cyclone once every eight to nine years. Cyclone Bola was one of the costliest cyclones in the history of New Zealand, causing severe damage as an extratropical cyclone when it passed near the country.

4 October 1997: More than 60 homes were flooded and residents in Lower Hutt riverside areas were evacuated during downpours. Two people died, and isolated landslips closed some Wellington roads and parts of State Highway 1.[10]

26 June 1998: A severe thunderstorm affected Karori and Kelburn, with rain breaking all previous records and falling at a rate with a return period of well over 200 years. Rainfall at Kelburn totalled 69.5 mm between 7.35pm and 9.10pm.[10]

13–27 October 1998: Gale force northwesterlies blew throughout the lower North Island. On 18 October, gusts of 183 km/h were recorded at Castlepoint. Winds were most severe on the following two days, when a gust of 215 km/h was recorded on a Wairarapa farm. A truck was overturned, ships ripped from their moorings in Wellington, and some houses lost their roofs.[10]

10 January 2002: Thunderstorms over Wellington resulted in torrential rainfall, about 40 mm in 30 minutes, and flash floods in the city centre. Similar storms, some with hail and surface flooding also happened in Whanganui, Manawatu, the central and eastern North Island, Buller and Nelson. The average recurrence interval of this rainfall event was estimated at more than 100 years.[10]

14–16 February 2004: The Valentine's Day storms left hundreds of people homeless, and silt and floodwaters inundated considerable areas of farmland. Many rivers breached their banks, bridges were damaged and stock was swept away by floodwaters. A civil state of emergency was declared in Whanganui, Manawatu and Rangitikei. About 500 Lower Hutt residents were evacuated because of floodwaters, and many commuters were unable to enter Wellington. The event produced galeforce southerlies, with gusts of 230 km/h in the Tararua Range, and swells of 11m in Cook Strait.[10]

25 July and 14 August 2011 New Zealand snowstorms: The first severe winter storm brought the coldest winter snap in fifteen years. During August snow fell consistently down to sea level in Wellington for the first time since 1976,[12] and snowflakes even fell for a brief time in Auckland for the first time in 80 years.[12]

20–21 June 2013 New Zealand storm: This extra-tropical system was first felt in the South Island by heavy snowfall on 18 and 19 June. Late on 20 June, the storm pushed northeast to the North Island, bringing very strong winds until early 23 June. Schools were cancelled during the shortest day (21 June), due to massive damage.

12-16 February 2023: The extratropical remnants of Cyclone Gabrielle passed over the North Island bringing heavy rain and damaging winds causing serious flooding in a number of regions. 11 people lost their lives and $13.5 billion dollars in damage was caused causing Gabrielle to become the deadliest cyclone since Giselle and overtake Bola as the costliest cyclone on record.

Statistics

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By area

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Auckland
Climate chart (explanation)
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
 
 
75
 
 
23
15
 
 
65
 
 
24
16
 
 
94
 
 
22
15
 
 
105
 
 
20
12
 
 
103
 
 
17
10
 
 
139
 
 
15
8
 
 
146
 
 
15
7
 
 
121
 
 
15
8
 
 
116
 
 
16
9
 
 
91
 
 
18
11
 
 
93
 
 
20
12
 
 
91
 
 
22
14
█ Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
█ Precipitation totals in mm
Imperial conversion
JFMAMJJASOND
 
 
3
 
 
74
60
 
 
2.6
 
 
75
60
 
 
3.7
 
 
72
58
 
 
4.1
 
 
68
54
 
 
4.1
 
 
63
50
 
 
5.5
 
 
59
46
 
 
5.7
 
 
58
45
 
 
4.8
 
 
59
46
 
 
4.6
 
 
61
48
 
 
3.6
 
 
64
51
 
 
3.7
 
 
67
54
 
 
3.6
 
 
71
57
█ Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
█ Precipitation totals in inches
Wellington
Climate chart (explanation)
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
 
 
72
 
 
20
13
 
 
62
 
 
21
14
 
 
92
 
 
19
13
 
 
100
 
 
17
11
 
 
117
 
 
14
9
 
 
147
 
 
12
7
 
 
136
 
 
11
6
 
 
123
 
 
12
7
 
 
100
 
 
14
8
 
 
115
 
 
15
9
 
 
99
 
 
17
10
 
 
86
 
 
19
12
█ Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
█ Precipitation totals in mm
Imperial conversion
JFMAMJJASOND
 
 
2.8
 
 
69
56
 
 
2.4
 
 
69
56
 
 
3.6
 
 
66
55
 
 
3.9
 
 
62
52
 
 
4.6
 
 
58
48
 
 
5.8
 
 
54
44
 
 
5.4
 
 
53
43
 
 
4.8
 
 
54
44
 
 
3.9
 
 
56
46
 
 
4.5
 
 
59
48
 
 
3.9
 
 
62
51
 
 
3.4
 
 
65
54
█ Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
█ Precipitation totals in inches
Hokitika
Climate chart (explanation)
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
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250
 
 
19
12
 
 
172
 
 
20
12
 
 
217
 
 
19
11
 
 
249
 
 
17
8
 
 
245
 
 
14
6
 
 
233
 
 
12
4
 
 
232
 
 
12
3
 
 
224
 
 
13
4
 
 
250
 
 
14
6
 
 
286
 
 
15
7
 
 
240
 
 
17
9
 
 
278
 
 
18
11
█ Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
█ Precipitation totals in mm
Imperial conversion
JFMAMJJASOND
 
 
9.8
 
 
67
53
 
 
6.8
 
 
68
54
 
 
8.5
 
 
66
51
 
 
9.8
 
 
62
47
 
 
9.6
 
 
58
43
 
 
9.2
 
 
54
39
 
 
9.1
 
 
54
37
 
 
8.8
 
 
55
39
 
 
9.8
 
 
57
42
 
 
11
 
 
59
45
 
 
9.4
 
 
62
48
 
 
11
 
 
65
51
█ Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
█ Precipitation totals in inches
Christchurch
Climate chart (explanation)
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
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O
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42
 
 
23
12
 
 
39
 
 
22
12
 
 
54
 
 
20
11
 
 
54
 
 
18
8
 
 
56
 
 
15
5
 
 
66
 
 
12
2
 
 
79
 
 
11
2
 
 
69
 
 
12
3
 
 
47
 
 
15
5
 
 
53
 
 
17
7
 
 
44
 
 
19
9
 
 
49
 
 
21
11
█ Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
█ Precipitation totals in mm
Imperial conversion
JFMAMJJASOND
 
 
1.7
 
 
73
54
 
 
1.5
 
 
72
54
 
 
2.1
 
 
69
51
 
 
2.1
 
 
64
46
 
 
2.2
 
 
58
40
 
 
2.6
 
 
53
36
 
 
3.1
 
 
52
35
 
 
2.7
 
 
54
37
 
 
1.9
 
 
59
41
 
 
2.1
 
 
63
45
 
 
1.7
 
 
67
48
 
 
1.9
 
 
70
52
█ Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
█ Precipitation totals in inches
Alexandra
Climate chart (explanation)
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M
A
M
J
J
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50
 
 
25
11
 
 
33
 
 
25
10
 
 
29
 
 
22
7
 
 
22
 
 
18
4
 
 
27
 
 
14
2
 
 
32
 
 
9
−2
 
 
24
 
 
8
−2
 
 
18
 
 
13
−1
 
 
21
 
 
16
2
 
 
29
 
 
19
4
 
 
31
 
 
21
7
 
 
43
 
 
23
9
█ Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
█ Precipitation totals in mm
Imperial conversion
JFMAMJJASOND
 
 
2
 
 
77
51
 
 
1.3
 
 
77
50
 
 
1.1
 
 
72
45
 
 
0.9
 
 
64
39
 
 
1.1
 
 
56
35
 
 
1.3
 
 
48
29
 
 
0.9
 
 
47
28
 
 
0.7
 
 
55
31
 
 
0.8
 
 
62
36
 
 
1.1
 
 
66
40
 
 
1.2
 
 
70
44
 
 
1.7
 
 
74
49
█ Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
█ Precipitation totals in inches

[13]

Location Climate type January temperature[14] July temperature[14] Annual rainfall[15]
Mean daily maximum Mean daily minimum Mean daily maximum Mean daily minimum
Kaitaia Cfb 23.6 °C (74.5 °F) 14.8 °C (58.6 °F) 15.4 °C (59.7 °F) 8.5 °C (47.3 °F) 1,320 mm (52.0 in)
Whangārei Cfb 24.6 °C (76.3 °F) 15.8 °C (60.4 °F) 15.5 °C (59.9 °F) 8.1 °C (46.6 °F) 1,289 mm (50.7 in)
Auckland Cfb 23.9 °C (75.0 °F) 16.1 °C (61.0 °F) 14.6 °C (58.3 °F) 7.7 °C (45.9 °F) 1,119 mm (44.1 in)
Tauranga Cfb 24.3 °C (75.7 °F) 15.3 °C (59.5 °F) 14.6 °C (58.3 °F) 6.3 °C (43.3 °F) 1,202 mm (47.3 in)
Hamilton Cfb 24.6 °C (76.3 °F) 12.8 °C (55.0 °F) 14.1 °C (57.4 °F) 3.8 °C (38.8 °F) 1,124 mm (44.3 in)
Rotorua Cfb 22.9 °C (73.2 °F) 12.6 °C (54.7 °F) 12.0 °C (53.6 °F) 3.7 °C (38.7 °F) 1,356 mm (53.4 in)
Gisborne Cfb 25.8 °C (78.4 °F) 14.3 °C (57.7 °F) 14.7 °C (58.5 °F) 5.5 °C (41.9 °F) 1,001 mm (39.4 in)
Taupō Cfb 23.0 °C (73.4 °F) 11.6 °C (52.9 °F) 11.1 °C (52.0 °F) 2.5 °C (36.5 °F) 948 mm (37.3 in)
New Plymouth Cfb 21.8 °C (71.2 °F) 13.4 °C (56.1 °F) 13.5 °C (56.3 °F) 5.9 °C (42.6 °F) 1,410 mm (55.5 in)
Napier Cfb 24.7 °C (76.5 °F) 14.7 °C (58.5 °F) 14.5 °C (58.1 °F) 4.8 °C (40.6 °F) 790 mm (31.1 in)
Whanganui Cfb 22.6 °C (72.7 °F) 14.1 °C (57.4 °F) 13.6 °C (56.5 °F) 5.8 °C (42.4 °F) 944 mm (37.2 in)
Palmerston North Cfb 22.6 °C (72.7 °F) 13.1 °C (55.6 °F) 12.9 °C (55.2 °F) 4.7 °C (40.5 °F) 984 mm (38.7 in)
Masterton Cfb 25.3 °C (77.5 °F) 12.1 °C (53.8 °F) 12.9 °C (55.2 °F) 3.1 °C (37.6 °F) 889 mm (35.0 in)
Wellington Cfb 20.3 °C (68.5 °F) 13.7 °C (56.7 °F) 11.7 °C (53.1 °F) 6.7 °C (44.1 °F) 1,319 mm (51.9 in)
Nelson Cfb 22.5 °C (72.5 °F) 13.7 °C (56.7 °F) 12.7 °C (54.9 °F) 2.6 °C (36.7 °F) 976 mm (38.4 in)
Blenheim Cfb 23.4 °C (74.1 °F) 12.9 °C (55.2 °F) 13.3 °C (55.9 °F) 2.9 °C (37.2 °F) 639 mm (25.2 in)
Westport Cfb 20.2 °C (68.4 °F) 12.6 °C (54.7 °F) 12.9 °C (55.2 °F) 4.9 °C (40.8 °F) 2,074 mm (81.7 in)
Kaikoura Cfb 20.3 °C (68.5 °F) 12.9 °C (55.2 °F) 11.2 °C (52.2 °F) 5.6 °C (42.1 °F) 715 mm (28.1 in)
Hokitika Cfb 19.5 °C (67.1 °F) 12.0 °C (53.6 °F) 12.0 °C (53.6 °F) 3.1 °C (37.6 °F) 2,921 mm (115.0 in)
Christchurch Cfb 22.5 °C (72.5 °F) 11.8 °C (53.2 °F) 11.2 °C (52.2 °F) 0.7 °C (33.3 °F) 618 mm (24.3 in)
Mount Cook Cfb 20.4 °C (68.7 °F) 8.7 °C (47.7 °F) 7.2 °C (45.0 °F) −2.2 °C (28.0 °F) 4,132 mm (162.7 in)
Lake Tekapo Cfb 22.2 °C (72.0 °F) 8.5 °C (47.3 °F) 6.6 °C (43.9 °F) −2.8 °C (27.0 °F) 535 mm (21.1 in)
Timaru Cfb 20.1 °C (68.2 °F) 11.4 °C (52.5 °F) 10.1 °C (50.2 °F) 0.6 °C (33.1 °F) 543 mm (21.4 in)
Milford Sound Cfb 19.5 °C (67.1 °F) 10.7 °C (51.3 °F) 9.3 °C (48.7 °F) 1.6 °C (34.9 °F) 6,545 mm (257.7 in)
Queenstown Cfb 22.0 °C (71.6 °F) 9.9 °C (49.8 °F) 8.6 °C (47.5 °F) −1.4 °C (29.5 °F) 721 mm (28.4 in)
Alexandra Cfb/BSk 24.0 °C (75.2 °F) 10.1 °C (50.2 °F) 7.9 °C (46.2 °F) −2.2 °C (28.0 °F) 365 mm (14.4 in)
Manapouri Cfb 20.7 °C (69.3 °F) 8.6 °C (47.5 °F) 8.7 °C (47.7 °F) −0.4 °C (31.3 °F) 1,126 mm (44.3 in)
Dunedin Cfb 18.9 °C (66.0 °F) 11.6 °C (52.9 °F) 10.8 °C (51.4 °F) 3.0 °C (37.4 °F) 724 mm (28.5 in)
Invercargill Cfb 18.9 °C (66.0 °F) 9.5 °C (49.1 °F) 10.0 °C (50.0 °F) 1.1 °C (34.0 °F) 1,097 mm (43.2 in)
Chatham Islands Cfb 19.2 °C (66.6 °F) 12.1 °C (53.8 °F) 12.0 °C (53.6 °F) 5.6 °C (42.1 °F) 837 mm (33.0 in)

Records

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Record Measurement Location Date
Highest temperature 42.4 °C (108.3 °F) Rangiora, Canterbury 7 February 1973
Lowest temperature −25.6 °C (−14.1 °F) Ranfurly, Otago 17 July 1903
Highest rainfall in an hour 134 mm (5.3 in) Cropp River, West Coast 8 January 2004
Highest rainfall in 24 hours 758 mm (29.8 in) Cropp River, West Coast 27–28 December 1989
Highest rainfall in a calendar year 16,617 mm (654.2 in) Cropp River, West Coast 1998
Lowest rainfall in a calendar year 212 mm (8.3 in) Alexandra, Otago 1964
Highest wind gust 250 km/h (155 mph) Mount John, Canterbury 18 April 1970
Highest sunshine in a month 359 hours New Plymouth, Taranaki January 2022
Highest sunshine in a calendar year 2840 hours Richmond, Tasman 2019
Lowest sunshine in a month 25 hours Otautau, Southland July 1985
Lowest sunshine in a calendar year 971 hours Franz Josef, West Coast 1991

Annual extremes

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Year Hottest Coldest Wettest Driest Windiest
2018[16] 38.7 °C (101.7 °F)

Alexandra 30 January

−10.4 °C (13.3 °F)

Mount Cook Airport 3 June

9,817 mm (386.5 in)

Cropp River

526 mm (20.7 in)

Clyde

197 km/h (122 mph)

Akitio 21 May

2019[17] 38.4 °C (101.1 °F)

Hanmer Forest 31 January

−9.2 °C (15.4 °F)

Lake Tekapo 3 June

14,227 mm (560.1 in)

Cropp River

417 mm (16.4 in)

Clyde / Cromwell

197 km/h (122 mph)

Cape Turnagain 15 May

2020[18] 38.2 °C (100.8 °F)

Gisborne 31 January

−12.3 °C (9.9 °F)

Middlemarch 14 June

11,532 mm (454.0 in)

Cropp River

205 mm (8.1 in)

Hakataramea Valley

198 km/h (123 mph)

Cape Turnagain 31 January

2021[19] 39.4 °C (102.9 °F)

Ashburton 26 January

−10.8 °C (12.6 °F)

Tara Hills 27 May

14,090 mm (555 in)

Cropp River

402 mm (15.8 in)

Alexandra

222 km/h (138 mph)

Cape Turnagain 10 September

2022[20] 34.7 °C (94.5 °F)

Lake Karapiro 3 January

−11.6 °C (11.1 °F)

Mount Cook Airport 17 July

11,034 mm (434.4 in)

Cropp River

368 mm (14.5 in)

Roxburgh / Middlemarch

223 km/h (139 mph)

Cape Turnagain 14 June

2023[21] 35.6 °C (96.1 °F)

Middlemarch 4 February

−10.6 °C (12.9 °F)

Tara Hills 10 June

11,717 mm (461.3 in)

Cropp River

359 mm (14.1 in)

Ranfurly

246 km/h (153 mph)

Cape Turnagain 17 September

Historical climate

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Data collection for determining the New Zealand climate began in the late 19th century, although European explorers made valid observations of climate indicators such as glaciers and moraines early in that century. Scientific study of early New Zealand climate is quite recent and ongoing. It has settled some of the debate regarding links between the Little Ice Age (LIA) in the Northern Hemisphere and the climate in New Zealand at the same time. The key facts to emerge are that New Zealand did experience a noticeable cooler climate, but at a slightly later date than in the Northern Hemisphere.[22] The onset of cooler climate was about 1450 and lasted until 1850. Indications are that temperatures were in the range of 1.5-2.0 degree Celsius lower than present during the New Zealand LIA. Since 2000 various scientific investigations looked at the behaviour of glaciers in relation to climate and found they were excellent indicators of temperatures, especially in summer. Glacial evidence of climate is matched by evidence of variations in tree ring growth and studies of ice core and ocean sediment samples indicating the types of microorganisms (some flourish in warm temperatures, other in cooler temperatures) and historical carbon dioxide ratios.[22]

Evidence found that the climate was more strongly influenced by the impact of tropical air masses in warm periods and polar air masses in cool periods. Recent (2010) studies by Victoria University have shown that the regional climates most affected were in coastal Otago and Southland. The dominant temperature influence here was the relative warmth of the sea to the south of New Zealand during the Medieval Warm Period (MWP). From about 1350 this region was notably warmer but then cooled relatively quickly from 1450. This cooling may have had a substantial impact on population in those areas. The limited historical record suggests that from 1450 the population of New Zealand underwent significant cultural change which may have links to climate cooling and dramatic changes in food supplies.[22]

Climate change

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This section is an excerpt from Climate change in New Zealand.[edit]
 
Atmospheric carbon dioxide record from Baring Head, Wellington from 1977 to present.[23]

Climate change in New Zealand involves historical, current and future changes in the climate of New Zealand; and New Zealand's contribution and response to global climate change.[24][25] Summers are becoming longer and hotter, and some glaciers have melted completely and others have shrunk. In 2021, the Ministry for the Environment estimated that New Zealand's gross emissions were 0.17% of the world's total gross greenhouse gas emissions. However, on a per capita basis, New Zealand is a significant emitter, the sixth highest within the Annex I countries, whereas on absolute gross emissions New Zealand is ranked as the 24th highest emitter.[26][27]

More than half (53%) of New Zealand's gross greenhouse gas emissions are from agriculture, mainly methane from sheep and cow belches.[28][29] Between 1990 and 2022, New Zealand's gross emissions (excluding removals from land use and forestry) increased by 14%. When the uptake of carbon dioxide by forests (sequestration) is taken into account, net emissions (including carbon removals from land use and forestry) increased by 33% since 1990.[28]

Climate change is being responded to in a variety of ways by civil society and the New Zealand Government. This includes participation in international treaties and in social and political debates related to climate change. New Zealand has an emissions trading scheme, and in 2019 the government introduced the Climate Change Response (Zero Carbon) Amendment Bill which created a Climate Change Commission responsible for advising government on policies and emissions budgets.[30][31]

New Zealand made a number of pledges on climate change mitigation in 2019: to reduce net carbon emissions to zero by 2050, to plant 1 billion trees by 2028, and to bring pastoral agriculture (farmers) into an emissions price policy by 2025. Already in 2019, New Zealand banned new offshore oil and gas drilling and decided that climate change issues would be examined before every important decision.[32] In early December 2020, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern declared a climate change emergency and pledged that the New Zealand Government would be carbon neutral by 2025. Key goals and initiatives include requiring the public sector to buy only electric or hybrid vehicles, government buildings will have to meet new "green" building standards, and all 200 coal-fired boilers in public service buildings will be phased out.[33][34]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Walrond, Carl (March 2009). "Natural environment – Climate". Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 13 November 2016.
  2. ^ Mean monthly rainfall Archived 6 August 2017 at the Wayback Machine, NIWA.
  3. ^ "NIWA Climate Data". NIWA. 28 February 2007. Retrieved 24 July 2013.
  4. ^ nzcpe (4 April 2019). "Robbing the bank: land use change". Planetary Ecology. Retrieved 15 January 2020.
  5. ^ "Tornadoes in New Zealand - FAQs". National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
  6. ^ Mullan, Brett; Tait, Andrew; Thompson, Craig (March 2009). "Climate – New Zealand's climate". Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 14 November 2016.
  7. ^ "NZ's temperature record hits new low - minus 25.6degC". The New Zealand Herald. 12 July 2011. Retrieved 12 July 2011.
  8. ^ McLintock, A. H., ed. (22 April 2009) [originally published 1966]. "Blizzard and flood of 1863". An Encyclopaedia of New Zealand – via Te Ara: the Encyclopedia of New Zealand.
  9. ^ "Winds and storms: Looking back at the Wahine Storm". NIWA. 28 February 2007. Retrieved 23 June 2013.
  10. ^ a b c d e f g Chug, Kiran (15 February 2011). "Seven biggest storms to hit Wellington". The Dominion Post. Retrieved 23 June 2013.
  11. ^ "Flood Hits New Zealand City". NY Times.
  12. ^ a b Felim McMahon (15 August 2011). "Kiwis marvel at Auckland and Wellington snow". Storyful. Archived from the original on 1 February 2014. Retrieved 1 May 2013.
  13. ^ "Climate Data". NIWA. 28 February 2007. Retrieved 5 February 2012.
  14. ^ a b "Mean monthly temperatures (°C) - NIWA". 28 February 2007. Retrieved 26 February 2017.
  15. ^ "Mean monthly rainfall (mm) - NIWA". 28 February 2007. Retrieved 26 February 2017.
  16. ^ "Annual Climate Summary 2018". NIWA. 8 January 2019. Retrieved 21 November 2023.
  17. ^ "Annual Climate Summary 2019". NIWA. 8 January 2020. Retrieved 21 November 2023.
  18. ^ "Annual Climate Summary 2020". NIWA. 12 January 2021. Retrieved 21 November 2023.
  19. ^ "Annual Climate Summary 2021". NIWA. 11 January 2022. Retrieved 21 November 2023.
  20. ^ "Annual Climate Summary 2022". NIWA. 11 January 2023. Retrieved 21 November 2023.
  21. ^ "Annual Climate Summary 2023". NIWA. 9 January 2024. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  22. ^ a b c David Wratt; Jim Salinger; Rob Bell; Drew Lorrey & Brett Mullan (28 February 2007). "Past climate variations over New Zealand". NIWA. Retrieved 5 June 2014.
  23. ^ Scripps Institution of Oceanography, La Jolla, California, U.S.A.
  24. ^ "Our atmosphere and climate 2017". Ministry for the Environment and Statistics NZ. October 2017.
  25. ^ Climate Change Implications for New Zealand. Royal Society of New Zealand. 19 April 2016. ISBN 978-1-877317-16-3. Archived from the original on 23 June 2016.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  26. ^ "Snapshot How New Zealand compares to other countries". Ministry for the Environment. 15 April 2021.
  27. ^ "New Zealand's out-sized climate change contribution". Stuff. 8 December 2018.
  28. ^ a b New Zealand's Greenhouse Gas Inventory 1990–2022 snapshot, Ministry for the Environment, 18 April 2024
  29. ^ "Agriculture emissions and climate change". Ministry for the Environment. 13 April 2021. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
  30. ^ "Proposed Climate Change Response (Zero Carbon) Amendment Bill". Ministry for the Environment. Archived from the original on 6 November 2019. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
  31. ^ Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern (8 May 2019). "Landmark climate change bill goes to Parliament". New Zealand Government. Retrieved 20 May 2019.
  32. ^ Ainge Roy, Eleanor (4 December 2019). "Climate change to steer all New Zealand government decisions from now on". The Dunedin. The Guardian. Retrieved 4 December 2019.
  33. ^ Taylor, Phil (2 December 2020). "New Zealand declares a climate change emergency". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 2 December 2020. Retrieved 2 December 2020.
  34. ^ Cooke, Henry (2 December 2020). "Government will have to buy electric cars and build green buildings as it declares climate change emergency". Stuff. Archived from the original on 2 December 2020. Retrieved 2 December 2020.

Further reading

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